Had to go by the Honda/Kawasaki/Suzuki/BMW dealership to get my inspection this year.   My little shop that sold bike parts and did bike inspections quick and cheap has gone out of business, so I had to actually go to the stealership to get her done.

Going through the show room to get to service I had the salesman try to get me to trade up to a "low seat height bike" ($12,000 huge brick of a thing).   The counter girl was amazed at my paperwork because I had 20,000 miles on the bike.  "These little Savages generally don't last that long" sez she.

The service manager brought my paperwork out to me when they finished it.  "Your bike is idling a bit fast, you may need a full tune up and valve adjustment because when we slowed the idle down your valves started tapping.  A full tune up costs $250.   We can work you in today as we have a person free."

How can a newbie survive apart from the list?  He has nobody who will tell him the truth about his bike, how to fix his bike or how to take care of it properly -- they all just want to rape a newbie with his beginner bike for as much as they can, as often as they can, then get him to trade up to a bigger bike.

I cranked my old bike up, reset the idle speed and rode off, shaking my head.  They only ever see a Savage in service dept every third year or so, so how do they know anything much about a 20,000 mile bike to try to be offering me expert advice?

I just hit the 600 mile mark and I am really not wanting to take the bike in because of exactly this sort of thing. I want to do the maintenance myself, I've had a couple of car engines down to the block and back but this being a new bike and all I am skitish. I am comfortable with everything but the valve check.

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I'll bet they don't say that when they're selling them...  ...

verslagen1 wrote on 03/31/13 at 08:58:23:


Wow!! That would be great!! Thanks soo much!! I will get started on all the other maintenance right away, when will you be out next? Will PM you.

Hey OF, did they pick up on your darkside rear tire or have you changed it out? The "Trade Up" line is SOP at any dealership, be it cars, bikes or whatever. I had my Tahoe in the shop because some bozo bounced a Buick off it's rear bumper and have been flooded since then with "Trade Up" mail for the dealer associated with the body shop.
 Dane Allen, there is nothing tricky about setting the valves. All you need is the book, a good set of feeler gauges and a little time.

It IS a loss leader. Too many people finding the forum, doing their own everything except tires. And a whole bunch get inspired to do those as well.

There are 2 big dealerships in WA that won't work on a Savage. They refer people to this website at purchase... you're welcome. I made enough of a nuisance of myself that they caved in.

Well everyone has to make a living I suppose. I think the economy got squeezed enough that a few dealerhips gave up sales. The Truimph dealership has one saleman.. who also answers the phones... and happends to to be the owner. The suzuki dealership is tiny place over in a tiny town. Has about 4 new bikes, and 4 new camam spiders, plus a bunch of 4-wheelers .. which down here sell - 3 to 1 over bikes. My understanding is he a retired Entergy ( power company) worker. He dont need to make a killing .. and pissing off Bubba over a 4-wheeler aint to smart. The one BIG shop is the Honda/Yamaha dealer. Closest thing we got to a "stealership".. but even so this town aint at all friendly to such antics. You get a bad reputation here.. and you might as well close up quick and save the rent money.  

As for me, I havent been back to the dealer for anything. I got 600 mile tweak done by a small bike shop. Bunch of guys behind the counter more concerned with the next drive in Veteran BBQ fund raiser then selling anything. Welcome to Mississippi.. we're kinda "low key".